Presented by Associate Professor Bill Lord Pain is a frequent complaint among patients who utilise ambulance services. Although the assessment and management of pain appears to be uncomplicated, several situations can pose challenges for paramedics in assessing, measuring and evaluating this symptom. These challenges include patients at extremes of age, particularly children. This presentation will present results from a large study of paramedic management of pain in children in the state of Victoria. The session will explore barriers to effective paramedic-initiated pain management, and discuss opportunities for improving pain management practice across the lifespan.

 Biography:

Associate Professor Bill Lord BHlthSc, GDipCBL, MEd, PhD

Bill has worked as a paramedic in Australia since 1981, training as an intensive care paramedic in Sydney. In 1996, he took up a position at Charles Sturt University where he was a senior lecturer and coordinator of the Bachelor of Clinical Practice (Paramedic) program. In 2004, he was appointed to the position of Head of Undergraduate Paramedic Programs at Monash University in Melbourne. He is currently Associate Professor and Discipline Leader for Paramedic Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Apart from experience in the higher education sector, Bill has been involved in the development of vocational education and training for the ambulance service sector, and is currently an invited member of the Council of Ambulance Authorities Education Committee. He still practices as a paramedic with the Queensland Ambulance Service.